Apollo Brown & O.C.- "Fantastic" (2012)

The legendary O.C. (of D.I.T.C.) teams up with Detroit producer Apollo Brown for their May 1st release "Trophies."  Peep the last cut on the album, "Fantastic"

Go here to listen to samples of the album

DJ House Shoes- "The Makings Pt. 1" (Free Mixtape) (2012)

This dude is a Detroit Hip Hop God! He was a very close friend of both Dilla & Proof, he rocked countless Detroit shows, and he's the guy who does more and knows more about Hip Hop than anyone. The recent years have been very good to 'Shoes, as he is now a staple in the LA Hip Hop scene carrying the torch for anything Detroit-Hip Hop related.  I used to hang with my older brother (Orator) at his DJs apartment, and House Shoes would be chillin smoking blunt after blunt after blunt...THE FIRST BEAT I EVER WROTE A VERSE TO WAS A HOUSE SHOES BEAT (circa '96)!  He didn't know that of course, as I was 14 years old stealing beat (cassette) tapes from my brother to listen to.  If you don't know about DJ House Shoes, then you do now Biaaatch!!!  This new mixtape, "The Makings Pt. 1" highlights some of 'Shoes' production work (yep, he produces too).  If you're looking to find a true DJ/producer who embodies Hip Hop look no further. 

Sene "Brooklynknight" video (2012)

You know that Illingsworth dude I mentioned in the last post? Well, he produced a few joints off this dude Sene's album "Brooklynknight," which just dropped yesterday. Here is the video for the title track, produced by Doc Illingsworth of Detroit. This track is dope!

Peep the rest of Sene's "Brooklynknight" here and purchase if you're down:

Illingsworth "Bread Winner" EP (2012)

I bring you Illingsworth...This dude is a multi-talented MC/Producer/Person out of Detroit.  I was lucky enough to catch him and his Detroit C.Y.D.I. crew at Paychecks lounge in Hamtramak last year.  The thing that sets Illingsworth apart from most Hip Hop artists is that he a genuinely funny dude who isn't afraid to talk about everyday things-like making pancakes.  I highly reccomend that you give his "Bread Winner" EP a listen; as it is free and worth buying...I threw 5 on it to support good Hip Hop, as should you. 

Phonte "Life of Kings" feat Evidence & Big K.R.I.T. (prod. 9th Wonder) video (2012)

The video for Phonte's "Life of Kings" off his 2011 album "Charity Starts At Home" is here.  First, you have Phonte.  Second, you have Phonte with 9th Wonder on the beat.  Third, you have Big K.R.I.T. & Evidence on the track.  And finally, Phonte's mom makes a guest appearance and raps Evidence's verse, which results in a very dope video...Rappers need to bring their moms' in the mix more often.

   

Masta Ace- "Slow Down" (prod. MF DOOM) (2012)

New Masta Ace and MF Doom off their upcoming "MA Doom."  Haven't heard either in a while...

Ab Soul feat Schoolboy Q- " SOPA" video (2012)

I haven't even listened to this and I'm gonna post it..."Control System" coming May 11.

Local Nobodies "One" Free Album (2012)

I made it to the Devin the Dude show at in Chicago (Reggie's Rock Club) on Saturday night.  First of all, Reggie's has dope sound.  Second of all, Devin the Dude is one of the best performers I've ever seen live...His set was flawless, he sounded better than on record, and his crew the Coughee Brothaz are ALL DOPE-there was like twelve people on stage with Devin.  You ever get a chance to peep a Devin the Dude show your ass better go to that shit! 

On the other hand, there were some really dope artists who opened for Devin, especially this group Local Nobodies (backed by DJ Nick Castle).  Seriously, download their shit for free below, now!:

Gangrene "Odditorium" Free EP (2012)

Gangrene (The Alchemist & Oh No) also dropped a free project on 4/20 called "Odditorium."  I just finished listening to it all the way through...It's four tracks of straight dope!  Check out "The Great Frog Hunt" below:

Download "Odditorium"

Strong Arm Steady "Members Only" Free EP (2012)

Strong Arm Steady (Mitchy Slick, Phil Da Agony, & Krondon) released a free EP on 4/20.  Peep the track "So Hard," which opens the EP on a very good note (Click link below to download EP):

Download

Showbiz & A.G.-"The Bond" (2012)

Here is another ill track from Show & A.G.'s "Preloaded" (Free Mixtape) coming May 8.  Listen close to hear some good news about D.I.T.C.

Snoop Dogg "Smoker's Anthem" video (2012)

In celebration of 4/20...SMOKE SUM'!!!

Curren$y feat Daz- "Fast Cars Faster Women" (2012)

Here is something exciting..."Fast Cars Faster Women" which is the new single off of Curren$y's major label debut "Stoned Immaculate" coming June 5.  Daz Dillinger produced this shit, and he is featured on the track as well.

Gza/Genius "The Jam" video (2012)

To make up for my lack of Wu coverage, I bring you the second Wu-related post in a row!  Pitchfork has started a new animated series called "Frames," which showcases different artists and allows them to tell a story about their lives through animation.  The episode above features GZA talking about some of his and RZA's earliest encounters with Hip Hop in the Bronx.  Shit is funny, informative, and nostalgic all at the same time...

Wu Block (Sheek Louch & Ghostface Killa) feat Styles P "Shrooms" (2012)

I don't know if this is possible...is this my first post referencing something Wu-Tang related?  If so, I'm slippin...I am still waiting for Ghostface Killa and DOOM's collaboration, but for now it seems Wu-Tang and D-Block are joining forces.  Here's "Shrooms":

Ab-Soul "Pineal Gland" video (2012)

 Ab-Soul is 1/4 of Black Hippy (Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Schoolboy Q) and the only member who has yet to release a proper full lenth.  "Control System" is set to drop May 11...Here is the video for the super dope "Pineal Gland": 

Stretch Money "Let's Get High" (produced by Nick Speed) (2012)

Here is a perfect example of good Detroit Hip Hop.  Nick Speed is one of the illest beat makers out of the D and has worked with artists like Danny Brown, Elzhi, and Boldy James.  "Let's Get High" is from Stretch Money's album "25 Miles Per Hour" arriving April 24.

Note:  I think part of the reason Detroit hip hop artists do not get their proper due has to do with poor choice in artwork...The above visual does not do any justice to how soulful and classy the production is on this...

1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) feat Roc Marciano & Havoc "Thug Poets" (2012)

Here is the third leak that I've heard from the "2012" album...You can consider me sold on this shit now:

Time Machine feat Damu the Fudgemunk "Tomorrow's Oldies" (2012)

Dope feel-good track from Time Machine off their upcoming "Vicious Experiments" dropping the end of April:

Casual (of Hieroglyphics) "Tears" video (2012)

Yes Yes Yes!!!! Causal drops "Tears" from his upcoming "He Still Think HE Raw" dropping May 22nd.  HIERO YA'LL! 

1982 (Statik Selektah & Termanology) feat Reks- Play Your Role (video) (2012)

Statik & Term release "2012" on May 22nd.  So far, all I've heard from this upcoming project is bangers...here's one called "Play Your Role":

J Dilla "Dillamatic" Mix by Keenan Cunnin (2012)

I told ya'll things were about to get real serious...Here's a collection of Dilla tracks that I consider to be some of his best work...J Dilla R.I.P.

Roc Marciano Mix brought to you by Keenan Cunnin on Spotify! (2012)

It was just a matter of weeks ago when I was thinking about how dope it would be if I could share personalized, hand-picked playlists with people through this blog...Well, things are about to get real ugly now because Spotify let's me do just that! 

For my first playlist, I bring you a set of straight up "Roc Marciano" joints:

I added a link to my spotify playlists right on this blog (top right)...>

Sadat X "We In New York" (2012)

Here is the first single of Sadat X's new album "New York" coming summer 2012...Recognized!

Fortunate Ones "Lifelines" Free Album Download (2012)

I just came across this album on 2dopeboyz.com and I think it's worth sharing.  The beats are heavy and electronic-based, and there are some real bangers, check "Spilled Milk" below...

Download "Lifecycles" here:   http://www.mediafire.com/?73zpjfe76szl6v3

Del the Funky Homosapien & Parallel Thought "If Ya Don't"

Alright...I've been waiting for Del to drop some shit for more than a minute.  On June 19, he is releasing a project with Parallel Thought called "Attractive Sin."  I've read that this "If Ya Don't" is going to be on the album, and I also read that it is a non-album cut so-not sure.  Either way, it's dope! 

Pep Love "Hip Hop My Friend" video

I am a huge Hiero fan...As this blog progresses I will be sure to continue to stay up Hiero Happenings...For now,  video for "Hip Hop My Friend" from Pep Love's new album "Rigmarole."

Fuck it, buy "Rigmarole" here:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-rigmarole/id507253689?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

Emay "Adam" Free Album (2012)

I just stumbled upon this project called "Adam" from a canadian artist name Emay. He handles all production and vocals on his own...kinda like a canadian Big K.R.I.T. This is essentially a free album-and it's pretty dope. The best way I can describe the sound is...Prefuse 73 beats with Blueprint spitting. I strongly urge you to give this a listen, as I do not fuck with bullshit...Thanks



Here is where you download "Adam" for free
http://tomorrowarchaic.com/

Reks "Such A Showoff" (2012)

Reks will release "Straight No Chaser" on April 24th. Entirely produced by Statik Selektah (does anyone notice how quickly this dude's body of work is piling up?!). Here's the track "Such A Showoff" to keep you busy...

Oh No "Sound Off" feat. Termanology & Easy Money (2012)

Here's something else to look forward to...Oh No's "Ohnomite."  Oh No has crafted an album out of samples from Dolomite, and he has an unbelievable list of guest...

This is (seriously) the list of people who will be on this project:

MF DOOM, Evidence, Alchemist, MED, Guilty Simpson, Roc C, Damani, Prozack Turner, Ea$y Money, Pok Dog, LMNO, Phife Dawg, DJ Romes, Chino XL, Erick Sermon, Rapper Pooh, Phil the Agony, Jose James, Frank Nitt, Wildchild, Sticky Fingaz, Termanology & Roc Marciano.

Here's the track "Sound Off" feat. Termanology & Easy Money from Ohnomite courtesy of StonesThrow:

Blacastan "The Villain Part Deux" video (2012)

I've been sleeping on Blacastan-don't make the same mistake... Check out this video for "The Villain Part Deux" from his album "The Master Builder Part II" courtesy of UndergroundHipHop.com

Showbiz & A.G. "Walk With Me" (2012)

Showbiz & A.G. are back!!!!  They are about to drop a free mixtape as a prelude to their full-length "Mug Shot Music" coming this summer.  If ya'll didn't know, A.G. dropped a full album called "Everything's Berri" in 2010-definitely worth a listen...

Here is the track "Walk With Me" by Showbiz & A.G.:

Jay Electronica "Dear Moleskine" prod. Just Blaze (2009)

Jay Electronica is coming out with "Act II: The Patents of Nobility."  Over a beat that could have easily been produced by J Dilla or Madlib...Just Blaze brings some fire on "Dear Moleskine"...

Ab-Soul feat. Danny Brown "Terrorist Threats" (2012)

Dope shit from the only Black Hippy (Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock) who hasn't dropped a solo yet...Top Dawg Ent. will take over during 2012 (my prediction).

Moka Only & Ayatollah "Get A Soda" (2012)

Here is a dope track from Moka Only & Ayatollah's joint project "Bridges."  Moka Only is one of those artists that has flooded the game with so many different projects, it's hard to know where to begin.  I would recommend checking out his work with Swollen Members...and also copping this new project, "Bridges." 

Preview the rest of the project at Nature Sounds:

 https://store.nature-sounds.net/store/products-page/featured/moka-only-ayatollahbridgespre-order/

Quakers- "Russia With Love" video (2012)

Once in a while an MC surfaces from out of nowhere with a unique style that warrants attention.  Coin Locker Kid is a recent example of such an MC.  He is the most featured artist on the new project from Quakers (35 member Hip Hop collection), who just released their self-titled debut on Stones Throw. 

Other MC's who come to mind when I hear this dude (because of the originality of his style) are: Volume 10, MF Doom, Keek Da Sneak, E-40, Aesop Rock, Sadat X...

Strong Arm Steady- Let's Keep Going (2012)

Strong Arm Steady come with a banger for their next project "Stereotype," which will be entirely produced by Statik Selektah.

Telemachus feat Roc Marciano Video (2010)

I thought I made the Roc Marciano mixtape to end all Roc Marciano mixtapes, but then I discovered this.  Now, I have to update my Roc Marciano mixtape.  This dude is so ill with his flow it's unbelievable.

Roc Marciano Interview with Out Da Box TV (Classic) (2012)

Here's an interview with Roc Marciano that everyone needs to watch.

Kendrick Lamar featuring Dr. Dre "The Recipe" (2012)

The Recipe from TopDawg Ent on Vimeo.
Recognized!!!!